Fitness First are seeing the benefit of raising the level of the health and fitness industry in the UAE after coming away with the top prize at the inaugural FIT Awards 2014, according to Mirdif City Centre branch senior general manager Edward Elliott.
The organisation’s Mirdif location came away with the prestigious Facility of the Year 1001+ Members prize during the gala evening at Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ glittering Godolphin Ballroom.
Organised by Sport360° in partnership with FitnessLink.me and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the awards aimed to recognise excellence and achievements of the health and fitness industry in the UAE for the first time.
Courtesy of sponsors Daman and Dubai Sports City, 375 attendees packed in on Friday, January 12 to see the best practitioners and events rewarded for their outstanding work.
“As a brand, Fitness First really has stepped it up during the four years I have been in the Middle East,” Elliott said. “We put the attention into the small items in the business, coaching our staff and focusing on operations. The FIT Awards have been fantastic.”
The achievements of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, were also recognised with the Ultimate Recognition Award.
FitnessLink co-founder Grant Goes believes the event has “planted the seed” for future developments in the Emirates.
“The whole process has been really cool,” he said. “To see everything come to fruition has been heartwarming. This has planted the seed for more growth in the future. It has created a great foundation. This is another stepping stone to show how the industry is coming together.
“You want role models for people, and the winners have done that extra little step.”
A total of 185 entries from facilities, organisations, initiatives, leaders and individuals in the fitness world were registered across 14 categories – 88 of which were polled and judged as finalists of their respective categories.
More than 23,000 votes were cast by the public from November 1 to December 1, their selections guiding the strict judging process.
All but one of the 14 finalists went through a thorough three-stage judging process involving 20 hig-hly professional and experienced industry leaders, the process overseen by auditors Deloitte & Touche.
It was a memorable evening for Exhale Fitness Studio, who came away with both the Studio of the Year and Ladies Only Facility of the Year titles.
“It is so overwhelming, I did not expect this at all,” managing partner Rama Jayyousi said. “The judging process was so vigorous, I am out of words.”
The exception to the judging process was for the Fitness Event of the Year, which was decided purely by public vote.
Sharjah Ladies Club took the prize, reward for April’s 5km Sharjah Ladies Run which attracted more than 250 people.
“We were hoping for the best, and luckily the best came,” events and public relations manager Ameera Al Aami said.
“This was a really fun night and great for the Sharjah Ladies.
“Our main purpose is to support the ladies of Sharjah. We have another running event on January 15, and we are hoping to double the number taking part considering the first one was organised in quite a short time.”
